300 new cops wanted to patrol streets of Mississauga and Brampton

Faced with the task of keeping a fast-growing region and its more than 1.4 million residents safe while also dealing with “ongoing recruitment challenges,” Peel Regional Police are doing things somewhat differently these days to answer the call.

For one, police brass hoping to bring on 300 new front-line officers in 2025 are also actively looking to other law enforcement agencies for experienced officers to join Peel’s ranks.

Peel police Chief Nishan Duraiappah said recently that hiring strategy “marks a significant shift” for Ontario’s second-largest police force, and third-largest in Canada. It’s being used, he added, in response to fewer Ontario Police College graduates being available to beef up Peel’s complement of front-line officers each year.

On Thursday alone, Peel police posted at least three hiring notices on X (formerly Twitter).

In one of the posts to the social media platform, they put out a call for a part-time prisoner escort officer (pays just over $32/hour) and a full-time divisional special constable ($66,000 to $104,000 annual salary range).

“Looking for a role where you can make a difference every day?” the recruitment ad begins. “Apply now for these key positions at Peel Regional Police.”

Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah speaks to the police services board on Nov. 1 about pressures facing his force and its officers.

Another post seeks a clerk/customer liaison to work in the force’s records search unit.

“In this role, you’ll assist the public with criminal records information and process non-criminal fingerprinting through our Real Time Identification system,” the notice reads.

A third online reach-out provides information on a virtual information session to take place this coming Tuesday for anyone interested in joining Peel’s ranks as a special constable.

One thing police brass are not doing differently is pressing both the Peel Police Services Board and Region of Peel for more money to keep enough cops on the streets of Mississauga and Brampton.

Historically, Peel’s top cops have not been shy when it comes to approaching region officials with financial asks in efforts to beef up front-line ranks.

During a 2025 budget presentation last Friday at the police board’s latest meeting, Duraiappah and other police officials said they need $64.1 million (as part of an overall request of $131.7 million) to pay for 300 new officers, 55 civilian professionals and 10 call centre communicators “to support the growing demands of our community and increased legislated responsibilities.”

Police will ask for more money for front-line cops

That request will be brought to Region of Peel council later this month as councillors around that table prepare to set the region’s 2025 budget.

Adding to the pressures of keeping Peel safe, the police chief added, is the extra responsibility — and a significant one, he said — of policing Toronto Pearson Airport in Mississauga, Canada’s biggest and busiest airport that handles some 45 million travellers annually.

Peel’s police board heard earlier that 14 experienced officers from other forces had been hired in Peel as of the end of August.

While recruiting experienced officers from other police agencies “isn’t ideal, it is often more cost-effective than training new graduates” from the police college, Peel Deputy Chief Mark Dapat said earlier.

Peel police want more new recruits 

Peel police are committed to bringing on board a total of some 200 new officers by the end of the year, Dapat noted, “despite limitations in seat allocations at the Ontario Police College.”

Currently, Peel police receive 55 “seats” for each of the four police college intakes each year, meaning 220 graduates are available annually to join Peel’s ranks.

Faced with a dire need to add new officers as Mississauga and Brampton — particularly the latter — continue to grow, Duraiappah said Peel police are pushing the college and province for a fifth yearly intake, which would add 55 new recruits to the ranks in Peel every 12 months.

Peel police say they offer competitive salaries in addition to a comprehensive health benefits package for both sworn and civilian positions.

Annual salaries are:

• Cadet, Second Class — $51,741
• Cadet, First Class — $56,914
• Recruit Constable — $62,088
• Constable, Fourth Class — $72,436
• Constable, Third Class — $82,785
• Constable, Second Class — $93,132
• Constable, First Class — $111,584